Advisers & supervisors

Academic Adviser, PPA, or Regent

All undergraduate students are assigned an academic adviser when they join the University. For the majority of students they are known as an Adviser of Studies, but in the School of Education they are known as Personal and Professional Advisers (PPA) and in the School of Medicine and Dentistry they are known as Regents.

An Adviser of Studies/PPA/Regent has two main roles:

• Academic – to help students make course choices and advise about the curriculum.
• Pastoral – to support and offer advice to students who may experience problems with their studies, or other personal problems during their degree. 

Who is my Adviser of Studies/PPA/Regent?

• New students will be sent details of their Adviser of Studies/PPA/Regent and advising appointment time in advance of the start of the academic year.
• Continuing students can visit their Student Portal to find out who their Adviser of Studies/PPA/Regent is.

Contact details can be found in the Staff Directory. Alternatively, please visit the School Office. 

When should I contact my Adviser of Studies/PPA/Regent?

You can contact your Adviser/PPA/Regent at any time to discuss any issues you might be experiencing. You should contact them if you would like to change your courses or degree programme, or to discuss any academic related issues or personal issues. They may refer you to Student Support or suggest you speak to a Registry Officer for more information and advice. 

I can't find my Adviser of Studies/PPA/Regent

If the matter is urgent or an emergency, please visit the School Office in the first instance. They may be able to make an appointment for you or refer you to another Adviser of Studies/PPA/Regent. Alternatively, you can visit the Infohub on the ground floor of the Hub to speak to the Duty Registry Officer.

Where else can I get help and advice?

• You can find the Duty Registry Officer in the Infohub between 0900 and 1645 Monday – Thursday, and between 1000 and 1645 on Friday.
• For advice and support on finance, disabilities, and counselling amongst other services, please visit Student Advice & Support Office on the ground floor of the Hub.
• For advice and support on study skills visit the Centre for Learning and Teaching.
• You can also get advice on your future from the Careers Service.

Programme Coordinator

The Programme Coordinator is your academic advisor, overseeing your programme. Contact them in the first place with any academic questions or issues. Even if they can’t provide you with immediate advice, they will point you in the right direction.

You will meet with your Programme Coordinator during advising and induction. They will give you information on how to contact them and let you know about their set office hours. If you want to speak to your Programme Coordinator, but you can’t reach them, contact your School Office to make an appointment.

Responsibilities of a Programme Coordinator include:

• Providing information on lecture and tutorial arrangements, course work requirements and assessment methods, information on avoiding plagiarism;
• Ensuring that the programme and the relevant courses are delivered appropriately and effectively;
• Assisting you in your learning progression and addressing any academic issues that arise;

Dissertation Supervisor

In addition to the Programme Coordinator, you will also have a Dissertation Supervisor, who will provide guidance and advice during your dissertation, project or work placement. The Programme Coordinator usually allocates students to supervisors shortly before the project is due to start.

More information on your Programme Coordinator and Supervisor can be found in Section 11 of the Taught Postgraduate Code of Practice.

Supervisory team

Postgraduate research students work with a supervisory team who provide guidance on their research during their programme. A supervisory team consists of at least two supervisors working in co-supervision, with one supervisor acting as the lead. At least one supervisor must be a professor, reader or lecturer of the University.

Research students receive details of their supervisors in their offer of admission to University. Supervisors usually contact their students before the start of their programme in email to set up an initial meeting at the beginning of the programme.

If you are unsure who your supervisors are, please contact your Graduate School:

• College of Arts and Social Sciences
• College of Life Sciences and Medicine
• College of Physical Sciences

Supervisory practice depends on what discipline you are studying. The Code of Practice for Research Students sets out the general policy matters such as the level of contact between supervisors and students, issues to be discussed during the first meeting, and the responsibilities of supervisors and assistant supervisors.